La Grande Bike Park feasibility study underway, public feedback needed
By Garrett Christensen on Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – Plans for a new bike park in La Grande are in the early stages, and project organizers need as much public feedback as possible to help make it happen. During a public meeting on Monday, April 21, members of Grande Ronde Gravity and Travel Oregon shared more information on the current state of the La Grande Bike Park project and what the final design could look like.
Broadly, the La Grande Bike Part Project is an effort spearheaded by Grande Ronde Gravity to construct a new non-motorized bike park within or near the city of La Grande for BMX and mountain bike riders of all skill levels. The goal is to create a park that is not only available for local recreation, but potentially attractive to tourists and out-of-area visitors. The project is distinct from the La Grande Pump Track, which was completed last December.
Keep in mind that, currently, the project is in the early feasibility study phase and is NOT a solidified design. As part of Travel Oregon’s Recreation Ready Program, the team at Grande Ronde Gravity will be accepting public feedback for around six months to gauge public interest, outline essential and wanted features, and identify concerns. A survey for the track can be completed here. Once phase one is complete and ready to move forward, Grande Ronde Gravity can then apply for a $100,000 dollar grant from Travel Oregon to fund further development.
Tentatively, the track is being envisioned as a somewhat unique 4 lane design primarily consisting of dirt paths and dirt jumps. Asphalt may be used for some of the higher traffic portions of the track. Each lane would be designed around different skill levels, labeled as blue, green, black and double black, with all lanes looping back into one another at the end of the track. The idea is that riders would easily be able to practice and hone their skills in one lane before moving up to a more difficult one. Other features such as rollers, berms, and some wooden elements may also be included.
The dirt ramps would be the park’s primary and most standout feature, with consideration taken for ideal jump takeoff and landing distances. If the project moves forward, professional contractors would be brought in to construct the ramps. As of April 21, two locations have tentatively been identified in La Grande, these being Riverside Park (near the horseshoe pits) and Pioneer Park.
As mentioned, the project is still in the feasibility study phase and most, if not all, the elements are subject to change depending on public feedback and contractor designs. The model, created by Grande Ronde Gravity Co-Founders Nicole Howard and Shaun Learner, displays a potential design and includes all major elements but is not a definitive blueprint. As explained by Learner:
“This is just based off other places I’ve seen and looking at what’s potentially possible. I think the final form is going to be totally different from this, totally different from some of the photos we were showing. That’ll be more up to the professionals we hire to actually build it.”
In addition, La Grande Parks and Recreation is NOT funding the project, and the Bike Park is not being included in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Though Parks and Recreation are part of the project steering committee and being kept informed, Grande Ronde Gravity are exclusively responsible for the design and acquiring funding. Grande Ronde Gravity further plans to create a self-sustaining program for the track that would allow them to handle upkeep rather than Parcs and Recreation. As explained by Howard:
“We’re not trying to add anything to their plate. They’re in a sort of supportive role right now, and we’re working with them about potential sites. It would be nice to locate this in a city park.”
Should the feasibility study be successful, Howard estimates that the Recreation Ready Grant could cover the majority of development and construction costs, though fundraising may still be needed.
Currently, ample public feedback and a strong public response are needed above all else to help the project get off the ground. To learn more about Grande Ronde Gravity and to complete the project survey, visit https://granderondegravity.org/bikepark
The survey can also be found directly here.
